An Internet domain name makes your Web address easy to remember. Every address is actually a series of numbers, known as an IP address; a domain name lets you assign a series of letters and words to this address. A domain name is a required part of most Web hosting accounts, and choosing the right one is an important decision.
The most popular form of domain name is the top level domain, which includes popular extensions like .com, net and .org. Domain names that represent countries are known as country code top level domains; every country has been assigned one. For example, .fr represents France, while .ca represents Canada.
The administration and co-ordination of these names is managed by an organization called the Internal Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers.
Finding the name you want
It has been estimated that the .com Internet domain name for almost every word in the English dictionary has already been registered. Unfortunately, this means there's a good chance the name you want is taken. Fortunately, there are many tools to help you find alternative names. Perhaps the most powerful is DomainsBot, located at www.domainsbot.com. DomainsBot will give you suggested alternatives for the name you want based on keyword analysis, available domain alternatives, keyword density, word length and more. NameBoy, located at www.nameboy.com, offers a similar tool.
One popular question is: how long can my name be? The limit is 63 characters. Remember: the longer your domain name is, the harder it will be to remember.
How to register a domain name
Most Web hosting companies will allow you to register domain a name through their Web sites; these companies in turn use domain name registration specialists, also known as registrars, to register the name. Reputable domain name registrars will let you:
• Modify your nameservers, which tell Web browsers where to find your Web site • Edit your billing, registrant and technical information when you like • Add CNAME (for redirection) and MX records (for email) when desired
Be wary of Internet domain name registrars that require additional fees for any of these changes.
How much should I pay?
The price for a domain name can vary significantly. To determine whether you're paying a reasonable fee to register your domain name, consider:
• Am I buying a ccTLD or TLD? While .com domain name registrations can be found for under $10, some ccTLDs can be very expensive. • How many years am I registering the domain name for? Most registrars default their domain name registrations to two years, which costs more than to register a domain name for one year. • What is being packaged with this Internet domain name? A domain name that includes Web hosting or email hosting is usually more expensive.
The standard price for a .com domain name registration that does not include email or any other services typically varies from $9 to $20 per year.
Transferring your name to a new registrar
There might come a time when you want to move your domain name to new registrar. While this used to be a convoluted process, ICANN recently introduced new rules to make domain transfers easier. To move a domain name, simply transfer ‘in' the name to your new registrar (look for a ‘domain name transfer' section on the website of your new registrar or web hosting company). A fee will usually apply; this is normal. You will be sent an email to confirm the transaction. Once approved, the transfer should takes place within five business days.
Once you have purchased a domain name, there are a few things to remember:
• Write down your username and password, in case you need to make a change to your domain's information at a later date. • Set your domain name to LOCKED so you don't become a victim of a fraudulent transfer request (unlocked names are easier to move and modify).
And finally:
Remember to renew your domain name! Domain name registrars are becoming less forgiving about tardy renewals. If you let your domain name expire, there's a good chance you won't recover it; don't put yourself in this situation. Keep track of when you registered the name, and the length of time you registered it for. Following these tips will definitely eliminate future domain name headaches.
